Description

Beautiful, scenic, and well-maintained - I can't emphasize this enough. The approach, the bouldering sectors, the docile wildlife, the hike through and up the valley.. every bit of this place is enjoyable and the area sits in a valley surrounded by towering mountainsides and a serene lake, which creates an incredible outdoor environment to be enjoyed by both climbers and non-climbers alike.

The bouldering is good. There is plenty of friction (needed on some climbs with non-existent features..!). The boulders tend to be on the shorter side but a few of the classics are moderately tall so that topping out is satisfying.

Taken from David Flannagan's guide:

Glendalough (The glen of two lakes) is a beautiful valley, about one hour drive south of Dublin in the Wicklow Mountains. The bouldering is centred on the old mining village above the upper lake on beautiful coarse granite, and the problems tend to be technical, slopey and not too steep. There is a range of over a hundred problems from scrambling to desperate 8as, with quality spread throughout. Some of the problems in the scree have bad landings, though a pad and a spotter can tame all but the very worst.

Though on the edge of the hills, showers tend to come and go suddenly, so its worth sitting it out in one of the many caves; because if theres a decent wind, the rock will dry in minutes on many of the problems. Its worth remembering that the sun doesnt reach the valley floor from November through to late February.

Getting There

To get to Glendalough from Dublin take the N11 south. After twenty kilometres, you turn left at Kilmacanogue (back over the overpass) for Glendalough. Follow the signs for Glendalough through the villages of Roundwood and Annamoe, then after the bridge in Laragh turn right, go past the hotel and park in the carpark where the road ends. Follow the path along the north side of the upper lake.